The Island's Food Digest

what’s that food?

What happens when you decide to experiment with a byproduct of your crops? For one Island farm, you end up with a unique and exclusive food that could potentially take the culinary world by storm.

Black Pearls are ready to take the culinary world by storm Photo credit: Laura Weatherbie/Salty

Black Pearls are a food product that came from thinking outside the box, taking the corms that grow on an Elephant Garlic bulb and slow roasting them at very low temperatures for three weeks. What results are small crispy bundles whose contents pack a punch in their flavour and texture.

Elephant Garlic is, technically speaking, not true garlic, but a part of the leek family. With a milder taste than true garlic, the bulbs are grown by Eureka Garlic in Kensington, PEI and it was the farm’s idea to try and see what happened when they applied their black garlic roasting process to the small corms (like miniature cloves) that developed on the outside of a elephant garlic bulb.

When you squeeze open the hard outer shell of the roasted corms, you discover a dark, soft creamy inside, hence the name of Black Pearl. The smell reminds one of dates, and the taste of these pearls is subtle, sweet, and a little fruity, with slight undertones of prune. The texture is silky smooth on the tongue and the pearls almost melt in one’s mouth.

Black Pearls are such a new product, they beg for experimentation. We think their sweetness could be a perfect counterpart to a creamy brie or a salty oyster. After all, what better combination can you think of than an oyster with its own pearl?

Currently, Black Pearls are available to purchase at Eureka Garlic, or you can find them at the Thursday night farmers’ market at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown. Quantities are limited, as the current stock of all the Black Pearls in the world is less than 15 pounds.

Upcoming Events

Charlottetown’s original and biggest farmers’ market is open from 9am-2pm year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays 9am to 2pm June 14 to October 4. It’s a Saturday morning tradition for many Islanders and a destination for locals and visitors in search of fresh farm produce, artisanal products, delicious hot food and friendly conversation. Indoor and outdoor eating spaces, a wide…

The Summerside Farmers’ Market is a Saturday ritual for many residents and a great shopping experience for visitors to the Island too! You’ll find vendors selling home-baked goodies, eggs, pork, beef, lamb, organic veggies, preserves and pickles, fruits (in season and frozen), spices, and a large variety of crafts. There are also hot food options, dining areas and a place…

If you are a vegan or vegan-curious, join fellow Islanders at Veg PEI’s monthly community potluck at 7 pm at the Haviland Club, 2 Haviland St., Charlottetown. If you’d like to share a dish, remember that all dishes must be vegan—so absolutely no meat, fish, seafood, dairy, eggs, or honey. Please bring your own plate/bowl, utensils, napkins, drinks, etc. This cuts down…

Charlottetown’s original and biggest farmers’ market is open from 9am-2pm year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays 9am to 2pm June 14 to October 4. It’s a Saturday morning tradition for many Islanders and a destination for locals and visitors in search of fresh farm produce, artisanal products, delicious hot food and friendly conversation. Indoor and outdoor eating spaces, a wide…

The Summerside Farmers’ Market is a Saturday ritual for many residents and a great shopping experience for visitors to the Island too! You’ll find vendors selling home-baked goodies, eggs, pork, beef, lamb, organic veggies, preserves and pickles, fruits (in season and frozen), spices, and a large variety of crafts. There are also hot food options, dining areas and a place…

Charlottetown’s original and biggest farmers’ market is open from 9am-2pm year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays 9am to 2pm June 14 to October 4. It’s a Saturday morning tradition for many Islanders and a destination for locals and visitors in search of fresh farm produce, artisanal products, delicious hot food and friendly conversation. Indoor and outdoor eating spaces, a wide…

The Summerside Farmers’ Market is a Saturday ritual for many residents and a great shopping experience for visitors to the Island too! You’ll find vendors selling home-baked goodies, eggs, pork, beef, lamb, organic veggies, preserves and pickles, fruits (in season and frozen), spices, and a large variety of crafts. There are also hot food options, dining areas and a place…

Charlottetown’s original and biggest farmers’ market is open from 9am-2pm year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays 9am to 2pm June 14 to October 4. It’s a Saturday morning tradition for many Islanders and a destination for locals and visitors in search of fresh farm produce, artisanal products, delicious hot food and friendly conversation. Indoor and outdoor eating spaces, a wide…

The Summerside Farmers’ Market is a Saturday ritual for many residents and a great shopping experience for visitors to the Island too! You’ll find vendors selling home-baked goodies, eggs, pork, beef, lamb, organic veggies, preserves and pickles, fruits (in season and frozen), spices, and a large variety of crafts. There are also hot food options, dining areas and a place…

Charlottetown’s original and biggest farmers’ market is open from 9am-2pm year round on Saturdays and Wednesdays 9am to 2pm June 14 to October 4. It’s a Saturday morning tradition for many Islanders and a destination for locals and visitors in search of fresh farm produce, artisanal products, delicious hot food and friendly conversation. Indoor and outdoor eating spaces, a wide…